Combat Sambo vs Sport Sambo — Same Game, Different Rules
Same sport, different leagues. See exactly where FIAS and FIAS rules diverge.
| Attribute | Combat Sambo | Sport Sambo |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Combat Sports | Combat Sports |
| Organization | FIAS | FIAS |
| Players | 1–2 | 1–2 |
| Location | indoor | indoor |
| Season / Version | 2026 FIAS Combat Sambo Rules — strikes-permitted variant: throws + groundwork + closed-fist punches + kicks + elbows + knees | 2026 FIAS Sport Sambo Rules — IOC-recognized international governing body since 2021; throws + groundwork; no strikes |
| Verification | 🏛️Official — FIAS | 🏛️Official — FIAS |
Comparison Summary
Combat Sambo and Sport Sambo share 8 rule topics. All 8 have different rules.
Key differences in: Match Length, Section 2: Equipment, Section 3: Playing Area, Section 4: Players & Officials, Section 5: Rules of Play and 3 more.
Shared Rules — Side by Side(8 shared topics)
Match Length
Rules differ5 minutes (single period); OT period: 2 minutes if score tied
Two 4-minute periods (single 5-minute period for some events); Active wrestling required; passivity penalized
Section 2: Equipment
Rules differSambo jacket + shorts (red or blue per competitor) — same as Sport Sambo; Sambovki (sambo wrestling shoes) — mandatory; Open-face protective helmet — mandatory in Combat Sambo (chin guard, padded crown, open visor)
Sambo jacket (Sambovka): distinctive jacket with belt loops + shoulder cinches — red or blue per competitor; Sambo shorts: matching jacket color; Sambo wrestling shoes (Sambovki): mandatory — soft, ankle-supportive
Section 3: Playing Area
Rules differFIAS-spec mat: 11m × 11m total, 9m central circle (same as Sport Sambo); Padded safety zone; Multiple parallel mats at major championships
FIAS-spec mat: 11m × 11m total, with central 9m circle competition area; Padded outer safety zone; Mat colored to distinguish competition area from safety zone
Section 4: Players & Officials
Rules differTwo competitors per match; Weight classes (Adult Male, kg): -58, -64, -71, -79, -88, -98, +98; Combat Sambo introduced women's divisions in 2017
Two competitors per match (one red, one blue jacket); Weight classes (Adult Male, kg): -58, -64, -71, -79, -88, -98, +98; Weight classes (Adult Female, kg): -50, -54, -59, -65, -72, -80, +80
Section 5: Rules of Play
Rules differ5 minutes (single period); OT period: 2 minutes if score tied; Closed-fist punches (to head + body)
Two 4-minute periods (single 5-minute period for some events); Active wrestling required; passivity penalized; 1 point: Takedown landing opponent on side (no full back exposure)
Section 6: Scoring
Rules differDecision priority: KO/TKO/submission > technical superiority > points > last-scoring competitor; Tournament: single-elimination + repechage; Gold/Silver/two Bronze per weight + gender
Decision priority: total victory > technical superiority > points > last-scoring competitor; Tournament: single-elimination + repechage for bronze; Gold/Silver/two Bronze per weight + age + gender
Section 7: Violations & Penalties
Rules differIllegal strikes: head-stomps, back-of-head, spine, eye-poke, throat — caution → DQ; Strikes to grounded opponent's head: generally restricted (specific rule varies by edition); Passivity: warning → caution → opponent advantage
Passivity: verbal warning → caution → opponent awarded points; Fleeing mat: caution; Illegal techniques (chokes, prohibited joint locks, strikes): caution → DQ
Section 8: Safety Considerations
Rules differCombat Sambo has substantially higher injury risk than Sport Sambo due to permitted strikes. Mandatory equipment (helmet, gloves, mouthguard, shin guards, groin protector) is non-negotiable.
Sport Sambo injury profile: shoulder/knee/elbow strain from throws + joint-lock applications. No chokes = lower asphyxiation risk vs judo.
Permanent link: https://opensourcesports.io/rules/versus/combat-sambo-fias-vs-sport-sambo-fias